Jim Davidson's Brucie rant

Comedian Jim Davidson has branded 'Strictly Come Dancing' host Bruce Forsyth as a ''miserable old b*****d'' and suggested the 83-year-old TV legend is only being kept on the show so the BBC can avoid accusations of ageism

The former 'Generation Game' presenter suggested the 83-year-old TV legend is only being kept on the BBC One celebrity dancing show so the channel can avoid accusations of ageism.

He said: "He's hanging on. No one really wants Bruce on there, do they? Not really. But they have him on there so they can say, 'How dare you say we're ageist?'

"Look at Bruce - he needs ironing before the show! There's a bit in my new play where someone says, 'You only watch 'Strictly Come Dancing' to see if Bruce drops dead live on air'. Miserable old b*****d!"

At the age of 57, Jim admitted even he is too old to front a prime-time Saturday night TV show nowadays.

He added to The Sun newspaper: "Who wants to see me? If you're a controller of British TV on Saturday nights, you've got to go for the 18-30 audience."

Bruce has been told by BBC bosses he can stay on 'Strictly Come Dancing' for as long as he wants, and while he has no intention of retiring, last year he relinquished his Sunday night presenting duties to Claudia Winkleman.

Meanwhile, co-host Tess Daly's husband Vernon Kay has been touted as a potential replacement for the TV veteran when he eventually hangs up his 'Strictly' shoes, and Bruce thinks the Bolton-born hunk would do a great job.

He recently explained: "I always say Vernon could do a very good job. He would be good. I said that five years ago. There have been people bandied around for the past five or six years. Brad Pitt could take my place. It's so obvious."